This must-read report comes from Car and Driver, a publication that’s not on my daily reading list as a transit rider. But it may be one of the most comprehensive and well written articles to date about America’s crumbling transportation infrastructure and the lack of policy and money to fix it. Interstates were designed with a 20-30 year shelf life (see above graphic) under the conditions they were designed for – and as the article notes, the freeways were not designed for the daily commuting tasks that they have been appropriated for. The roads are are long over due for repair, but as Car and Driver reminds us, “as we reach into our wallets, we run into our generation’s big dilemma: We’re nearly broke.”

Think it’s been hot here lately? Phoenix, AZ temps hit 118 this week and to help light rail riders cope with that kind of heat city transportation officials have come up with a green solution borrowed from another hot destination – Dubai. Phoenix officials tapped a company called NRG Thermal to develop a solar power air conditioning system. Sweating light rail riders simply press a button at a station and are bathed in cool air for the next 15 minutes. Seems like a clever way to cool down patrons while saving on energy costs.

It’s probably counterproductive to broadcast shortcuts all over the internet, but then again it’s probably going to be counterproductive to drive at all on Carmageddon weekend, so here’s the link. ABC 7 has compiled a list of twisting canyon roads to serve as an alternative to the government prescribed detours.